Perth’s CBD is set to experience a significant transformation with the grand opening of Edith Cowan University’s (ECU) new inner-city campus. This ambitious project, a first for Perth’s central business district, is poised to inject a substantial dose of vibrancy and economic vitality, drawing thousands of students and staff into the heart of the city.
After three years of dedicated construction, ECU has made a momentous shift from its Mount Lawley campus to a prime location in Yagan Square, directly opposite Perth’s bustling entertainment and hospitality precinct. The state-of-the-art facility, a considerable investment of $853 million funded through a partnership between the university and both state and federal governments, sprawls across an impressive 65,000 square metres, encompassing 11 levels of cutting-edge learning and creative spaces.
At the core of this new urban hub lies the internationally acclaimed Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Renowned for its excellence, WAAPA will contribute significantly to the city’s cultural landscape, with an ambitious schedule of 300 performances annually across eight public venues. This cultural powerhouse is expected to draw both students and the general public, further enhancing the city’s appeal.
A New Beating Heart for Perth
The impact of this new campus extends far beyond the academic realm. Western Australian Premier Roger Cook articulated the vision, stating, “This campus is not only going to provide an opportunity for young people to study in the city, it’s going to provide an opportunity for the city to come alive, it’s going to give us an opportunity to really support the economy of the CBD.”
The influx of people is expected to be substantial. From the very first semester, the ECU city campus will be home to approximately 8,500 students and staff, a figure projected to climb to 10,000. Member for Perth, John Carey, highlighted the transformative potential, remarking, “Having a city campus with a student population can drive vitality, vibrancy and life.” He further elaborated, “ECU City Campus will create a new beating heart for our city, bringing in thousands of students, an incredible live music and art scene with all the performances and fuel a student housing boom. We will see students every day spill out into the city, provide that critical foot traffic to support small businesses day and night and of course we know this ECU City Campus is fuelling more residential population.”
Economic Ripple Effects and Considerations
The strategic location of the ECU campus offers a significant advantage in terms of accessibility. Economics professor Steven Rowley pointed out the ease of access for students and staff relying on public transport, a crucial factor for urban integration. However, he also raised a pertinent concern for local businesses. “I’d be a little bit concerned if I was a local business, there might be pressure on retail rents in that local area, given the amount of potential increased trade,” he cautioned, suggesting that the surge in activity could lead to increased rental costs for commercial properties.
The Student Accommodation Conundrum
Despite the state government’s pride in the ECU campus as a “world-class” institution designed to attract international students, a pressing question looms: where will these thousands of students reside? Perth is currently grappling with a severe housing crisis, characterised by a stark imbalance between rental demand and supply, and record-low affordability.
To address this, the state government has pointed to recent developments. Mr. Carey highlighted the recently completed UniLodge on Wellington Street in the CBD, a 30-level student housing development boasting over 700 beds. Furthermore, plans are in motion for additional student accommodation, including a proposed 33-storey tower at Kings Square, which aims to accommodate an additional 854 beds.
However, Professor Rowley, affiliated with Curtin University, sounded a note of caution regarding the affordability and availability of student housing. He noted that purpose-built student accommodation can range significantly in price, from $400 to $800 per week. This means ECU students will be entering a competitive market, vying for Perth’s approximately 2,500 dedicated student beds alongside students from other tertiary institutions in Western Australia.
Property analyst Gavin Hegney described Perth as being in a “lag period,” where the pace of construction has yet to catch up with the escalating demand. “If you look at the numbers of students that are coming into Perth and you look at the number of accommodation units that are provided, there’s still a shortfall which means that the rental market is going to have to pick up some of the slack,” he explained. Hegney concluded, “Universities have got people lining up to study in Perth but the accommodation is probably the weak and costly point at the moment.”
Addressing Asbestos Concerns
An issue that arose late last year involved the discovery of asbestos in 14 of the building’s fire doors, believed to have been imported. The building received a temporary exemption from work health and safety regulations to facilitate its opening. At the time, ECU stated it had received assurances from the builder, Multiplex, that the asbestos posed no risk. A spokesperson for ECU confirmed, “The material is fully encapsulated in sealed steel doors. Multiplex has confirmed there is no risk to human health and WorkSafe has approved the planned remediation, including replacing the affected doors.” ECU has indicated plans to replace the affected doors during semester breaks throughout the current year.
